|PIC1|Church leaders across the country have been offering their sympathies to the victims and relatives of the Pakistan earthquake, which also hit parts of India and Afghanistan, killing more than 20,000.

In a letter to Bishop Alexander Malik, Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, and Bishop James Teron, Moderator of the Church of North India, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, wrote: “We have heard with great distress the news of the terrible devastation caused this weekend in Pakistan and India by the earthquake.

“In Britain, where so many of our communities have links with the region, the impact of this tragedy is keenly felt and our thoughts are very much with you.”

He added: “Please be sure that your brothers and sisters in England are with you in your grief and shock, and are praying for God to strengthen you all in witness and loving service.”

|PIC2|One of Scotland’s senior Catholics, Cardinal Keith O’Brien also sent his condolences in a letter to the High Commissioner for Pakistan in London, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, and Mr Shah M’Jamal, vice consul for Pakistan in Glasgow.

He wrote: “The earthquake which has struck your country has brought with it devastation and loss of life on an unimaginable scale.”

The letter continued: “I send you now the promise of my prayers and the prayers of Scotland’s Catholic community as you come to terms with your loss and begin to rebuild your shattered communities.”

According to the Church World Service, aid efforts have been hampered by road damage and heavy rain and hail across earthquake-devastated areas.

|PIC3|According to CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan Senior Program Manager Shama Mall, CWS Mansehra medical teams are already out in the community providing much-needed tetanus shots to survivors. A CWS assessment team was also sent up to Batagram in northwestern Pakistan Sunday morning.

“The situation is still very chaotic here. Right now everyone is focusing on rescue efforts, but those have been made difficult by the heavy rains and hail that hit some of the affected areas,” reported Mall.

“Tremors are continuing so people are afraid to be indoors. Many people are sleeping in their cars or in the outside,” said Mall.

According to the CWS the earthquake was the worst in Kashmir in over 100 years, with many of the affected regions still cut off from aid and rescue crews due to damage and mudslides.